Dr. Asmahan Alalas is a prominent Yemeni academic, researcher, and activist specializing in modern history, women's studies, and cultural heritage. She serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Aden and brings over 35 years of academic experience. Throughout her distinguished career, she has played a leading role, alongside a group of pioneering female scholars, in establishing the Women’s Studies Unit and the Women’s Training and Research Center at the University of Aden, reflecting her pioneering efforts to integrate gender issues into academic research and public discourse.

Dr. Alalas has authored many books and scholarly publications that explore the social and political history of Yemen, the status of women in Yemeni society, and cultural identity issues. Her academic contributions have also been featured in journals, with papers addressing human rights, gender, and heritage within the Yemeni context, establishing her as a respected intellectual authority in these fields.

She is an active advocate for women’s rights and political participation. Since 2018, she has been a member of the Women’s Advisory Group to the Office of the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, where she plays a key role in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda within international peace efforts. Dr. Alalas has represented Yemen at numerous scientific and cultural conferences around the world, notably participating in the Madrid Declaration on Advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda in Yemen, held in the Spanish capital in October 2024.

In addition to her academic and research endeavors, Dr. Alalas leads several initiatives focused on the preservation and protection of Aden's cultural heritage, where she plays a vital role in promoting cultural awareness and historical preservation. She has also participated in several international training programs focused on leadership development, negotiation, and peacebuilding. Her leadership in women’s empowerment, cultural governance, and the promotion of citizenship and civil society values has earned her national and international recognition.